"Just came across this Washburn image that I thought you might like on the site.... It is a mounted and framed photo that was from my Dad's collection; it used to hang in my grand-dad's dentist office. It was a gift to him from his hunting and fishing buddy Charlie Van Arsdale. the notations on the back are kind of fun.
"
" He (Charlie) had noted on the back the following and as well my Dad made notations: Charlie's comments are in italics below:
This building was the original Swiss Cottage built by Wm Pryor Letchworth and was located first down by the Middle Falls, directly west of the present comfort station. (notations 1 and 2)
Then it was taken down sometime in the 1890s (notation 2) by Mr. Letchwroth and moved to the Council House Grounds. This picture shows the building on those Council House Grounds.
It was built entirely of chestnut lumber, natural finish of the woodwork inside with a polished piano finish.
Then it was torn down in 1911 or 1912 (notation G) after Mr Letchworth's death and burned. The iron railings and other entrance supports were piled in the basement and left there while it was burned. The it was all covered over with earth. (notations 3 & C)
Where the house once stood now is parking space. (notation D)
Dad's (Charles Bartlett) notes:
(1) Original location was actually farther towards the Upper Fall, about 1/4 of the way between the middle and upper falls.
(2) Not sure when it was actually taken down and moved, however seems that it might have been before 1890s (notation F)
My (Ted Bartlett) Comments:
(A) it was built by Letchworth for use as a guest house, with fountain, landscaping and superb both ways along the river.
(B) When it was moved to the CHG the wing was extended longer that the wing was when it was by the falls.
(C) I have no reference to the railings being iron, however, inlooking at the photos of this building and comparing them to the other Swiss building ( the railings on that one [Lauterbrunen] are wood, it would appear that these may well have been iron from their profiles and installation. it would be an interesting archaeological dig at the site. Of the two Swiss buildings this one appears to have been the more formal and finer detailed of the two.
(D) The location of the Swiss Cottage was not in the parking lot area; it was further east towards the museum building and flag pole with cannons. The camera man was standing in what is now the parking lot, before it was raised about 10 feet in the 20th century.
(E) The photo appears to be one of a series taken by Washburn of Castile.
(F) My Dad's comment about when it was moved is probably wrong, to the best of my knowledge it was relocated in the 1890s and does not appear on the 1890s map of the Council House Grounds.
(G) It was torn down in 1913 by American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society" |
